The 10 Best Potty Training Books of 2021

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Our Top Picks

Oh Crap! Potty Training

"Focusing on kids ages 20 to 30 months, this guide provides six steps to successful potty training."

Potty Training in 3 Days

"This method requires literally being home and not leaving the house for three days, but is highly effective."

Stress-Free Potty Training

"Authors of this book recommend tailoring your approach by first determining your child’s personality."

The No-Cry Potty Training Solution

"A potty-readiness quiz promises to help parents find the right time in their child’s development to begin potty training."

Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day

"The one-day potty training technique focuses on “Potty Parties” to take the tension and stress away from training."

Ready to Go Toilet Time Potty

"Combines training tips for parents in an easy-to-digest format that can be read over and over to kids."

Time to Pee!

"With sweet pictures of kids, sign-holding mice, and lots more, this book is a helpful potty training guide for kids."

Potty Time with Elmo

"Seven interactive sound buttons bring the story to life through Elmo’s encouraging words, flushing and washing sounds, and more."

Everyone Poops

"The humorous and educational book shows how all creatures, including humans, digest their food and then poop."

Once Upon A Potty

"The timeless story empowers kids to see and understand the how and why of going to the potty."

Potty training is a rite of passage for all children (and their parents). It can be stressful, exciting, rewarding, and sometimes messy. Most experts will agree, it is best to take your child’s lead.

While there are many techniques out there, keeping a cool head, a positive attitude, and a bit of flexibility will help you and your child succeed. Get some helpful advice from our favorite best potty training books and say goodbye to diapers.

Our Top Picks

Oh Crap! Potty Training

Written by an acclaimed “potty training expert” this book combines bathroom techniques combined with humor (as the title suggests). Focusing on kids ages 20 to 30 months, this guide provides six steps to successful potty training.

Part of the technique is instilling confidence in the parents to take the lead in the process. If a humorous and “tell it like it is” approach is for you, try this book.

Potty Training in 3 Days: The Step-by-Step Plan for a Clean Break from Dirty Diapers

If you have the time at home, committing to a three-day strategy might be the right way to go for some families. This method requires literally being home and not leaving the house for three days. While it could work during a quarantine situation, it may not be realistic for some families.

If you plan on using this technique, it’s helpful for parents to read the whole book before the designated three days. That way, you’ll be armed with the info and confidence you need to put your plan into place.

Stress-Free Potty Training: A Commonsense Guide to Finding the Right Approach for Your Child

For a stress-free approach, the authors of this book recommend tailoring your approach by first determining your child’s personality. A quick quiz in the book will help parents figure out if their toddler is sensitive, stubborn, cautious, impulsive, goal-oriented, or still clinging to diapers.

Once that’s established, there are recommended methods and simple strategies for each type of kid. Parents are encouraged to take their child’s lead to develop an approach that works.

The No-Cry Potty Training Solution

Written by a bestselling parenting expert, this book promises a more gentle approach to potty training. With a potty-readiness quiz, the book promises to help parents find the right time in their child’s development to begin potty training.

From there, you can create a simple and effective potty plan that will motivate reluctant kids and help those that are ready. This book’s method touts an increase in children’s self-esteem and feelings of independence. There are also suggestions for a useful reward system, which may be helpful for some parents (and toddlers).

Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day

Whether you are intrigued by the idea of one-day potty training or under a deadline (hello preschool requirements!), this book could be worth a shot for some parents. Don’t expect miracles, but the author's positive approach and technique may work for some kids.

The book focuses on “Potty Parties” to take the tension and stress away from the training. It’s recommended that parents read the whole book before beginning the process with their kids. Since it’s just one day, you’ll need to know all the strategies and plans before you begin.

Ready to Go Toilet Time Potty

This educational book combines training tips for parents in an easy-to-digest format that can be read over and over to kids. The six steps are outlined in the book and are easy for kids to follow. With different books for boys and girls, kids will enjoy the 16 illustrated story pages along with the 48 colorful reward stickers.

Time to Pee!

Kids and parents will love the familiar humor style of Mo Willems in this potty-focused kids' book. With a positive message and empowering plan, kids are reminded to focus on “that funny feeling.”

With sweet pictures of kids, sign-holding mice, and lots more, this book is a helpful guide for kids and can give parents some positive language to talk about the bathroom with their kids. The wisest words may be at the very end: “PS: Don’t worry if you didn’t get it right the first time, you’ll get another chance.”

Potty Time with Elmo

A classic board book with sounds, this best-seller has been enjoyed by over 2.3 million potty-trainers and counting! The friendly character of Elmo is learning how to use the potty and he’s helping his baby doll, David.

Together, they will guide your toddler through the adventure. Seven interactive sound buttons will bring the story to life through Elmo’s encouraging words, flushing and washing sounds, and more. For any Elmo fan, this book is sure to be a bathroom companion.

Everyone Poops

Considered a potty training essential by many parents, the title says it all. This book shows how all creatures, including humans, digest their food and then poop. Kids will find the book humorous and enjoyable.

Parents will (hopefully) appreciate the lesson the book is instilling. Reminding kids of the process can help reluctant potty-goers, especially if they are still insisting on diapers to make bowel movements.

Once Upon A Potty

With versions for girls and boys, these sweet books may have been read by you when you were a kid and now your potty-training toddler can enjoy them too. The timeless story empowers kids to see and understand the how and why of going to the potty.

For boys, Joshua is there to guide them and girls will meet Prudence. The clear and simple books are well-loved classics for a reason.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She's also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 6-year-old son, and 2-year old daughter. Thankfully all three are potty trained. The boys both learned by enjoying “peeing on a tree” in their backyard and her daughter has a quarantine to thank for learning how to use the potty.